Displaying your PEZ collection

Most current Pez
dispensers have what are known as “feet” at the bottom of
the dispenser stem. These serve a useful purpose when displaying
your collection, since they help the dispenser to stand up straight.
Some current Pez, like the Valentine Pez and the regular remakes,
have a flat bottom stem (no-feet) similar to the older and vintage
Pez. Both these and the vintage Pez dispensers need “shoes”
to help them stand up without falling over easily. There are several
reliable sources (see Table 1) for these “shoes” which
are actually remakes and copies of what were originally designed as
one of the accessories for the vintage and rare Make-a-Face dispenser
(Figure 1). The “shoes” simply slide on to the bottom of
any footless Pez dispenser stem providing additional support.
However, for the current no-feet dispensers, which are a little
bigger in depth than vintage Pez due to the larger front and rear
stem spine/ridges, the “shoes” need to be altered. The
back walls of the ‘shoes” can be carefully carved/cut,
using an Exacto knife, to make a custom fit for any current no-feet
dispenser (see this website for nifty detailed instructions:
http://www.pezlist.com/luvpez/shoes.html). Some vendors now also
sell “shoes” that will fit the new footless Pez
dispensers.

What is most
frustrating when setting up or rearranging your Pez display, however,
is the “domino effect” that can occur. As soon as one
Pez is inadvertently tipped or knocked over all the other Pez next to
it also fall in line. In order to eliminate this unwanted effect,
many collectors choose to either purchase or make their own display
racks and/or stands. There are several websites which offer such
display items for sale (see Table 1). These are available also as
entire display shelving units which can be mounted on a wall or left
free standing. Whether you build your own display system or purchase
one, your imagination will help guide you in arranging your Pez
collection in both an interesting and attractive manner. Most
collectors like to display their Pez by arranging them according to
the series they are part of, for example all Disney related Pez, or
all Holiday Pez, etc. Collectors that enjoy Pez variations often
have very colorful displays featuring all the possible varieties of a
single Pez character or design. This is where your sense of color
will really come in handy.

Whatever your Pez
display design choice is, as a word of caution an important factor to
consider when deciding where to set it up is whether there may be any
possibility of damage from sunlight. Unfortunately, although
collections can look very attractive next to a bright window, direct
sunlight can be very damaging to a collection. The plastic used in
making Pez dispensers is sensitive to both light and extreme heat.
Over time this can cause fading and/or discoloration for many Pez, as
well as actual physical damage.

Part of the enjoyment
of collecting is to display, so get those Pez out of the closets and
drawers and let others see the beauty of your collection.

TABLE 1
Sources for Pez Dispenser Display Accessories

Pez Display Accessory

Website Source:

Pez shoes

http://www.pezlist.com/shoes.htm

Pez shoes

Ebay seller: glidog

Pez shoes & displays

http://www.showtimedisplays.com/pezessory.html

Pez shoes & displays

http://www.displaypals.com/

Pez display cases

http://pezzman.hypermart.net/index.htm

Pez display cases &
shelves

http://webpages.charter.net/gschenberg/displayc.htm

Pez display cases

http://www.clearvuedisplays.com/miscellaneous.htm

Pez Acrylic racks

http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Den/7047/Displays.html

Figure
1. Rare Pez Make-A-Face Dispensers (left image a European package,
right image a U.S. package)